CAPUTO: Good day for Oakland despite loss to MSU

Michigan State's Adreian Payne dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oakland, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Michigan State won 67-63. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

With just over seven minutes remaining, the Golden Grizzlies still led 51-50.

It was a home game for Oakland and there was a large crowd, especially considering the snow storm – more than 13,000. However, the majority was wearing green and white as the Spartans visited their favorite home away from home.

It was kind of quiet. Sort of surreal. A little “Dream little dream” moment that never got bigger.

Advertisement

It wasn’t meant to be: MSU 67, Oakland 63.

No dreams. No disasters. Just a lot of good, and necessary, teaching points for two of this state’s most recognizable college basketball coaches, Oakland’s Greg Kampe and the Spartans’ iconic Tom izzo.

“They are No. 5 in the country and we’re not,” Kampe said. “I want to win, but I’m pleased what we did.”

Oakland might have won this game, but needed a special performance from Travis Bader, normally a tremendous 3-point shooter. His shot was off, though, and the Spartans did an excellent job of defending him, especially during the second half.

Ultimately, MSU’s superior athleticism did take over. Branden Dawson was particularly damaging. He had 16 points and 13 rebounds and threw down the most impressive dunks. Oakland didn’t have any dunks.

Despite the loss, it was a confidence booster for Oakland, which was drilled by most of its opponents during its typical brutal non-conference schedule (at North Carolina, at UCLA, at Gonzaga, at Indiana).

Izzo and the Spartans were without what he termed “his best two-way player,” guard Gary Harris because of a sprained ankle. Matt Costello is one of MSU’s better frontcourt players. He is out with an injury. Adreian Payne was limited in practice recently.

Normally after a closer than anticipated game like this, and what appeared to be a flat effort, Izzo would be all over his team. Not this time, although he clearly wasn’t pleased with guards Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine. Trice did hit a long 3-pointer to seal the game, but Valentine didn’t score.

The Spartans rose to No.1 in the polls early in the season, but didn’t handle the rarified air well.

They were drilled by 11 points at home by North Carolina, which isn’t as strong as usual.

Oakland and Michigan State came into the game on different emotional pitches.

Saturday was the Spartans’ first game since the loss.

“It was a miserable 10 days,” Izzo said of trying to conduct practice with a depleted squad.

The Grizzles did beat a very good Ohio team (it has won 24 and 28 games the last two seasons, including knocking Michigan from the NCAA tournament and reaching the Sweet 16 in ’12, and is off to a 7-2 start) in its previous game to Saturday.

Oakland has made this a game before. They lost by one the last time it was played at The Palace. They lost by four another time in East Lansing.

Michigan has ended its series with Oakland, but Kampe and Izzo are connected by a lot of common coaches and former players.

“Besides liking Greg, I respect him,” Kampe said.

That respect was only deepened by the way Oakland played the Spartans Saturday.

“I’m disappointed,” Kampe said. “There are no moral victories at Oakland. We passed that long ago.”

Not really. It was a pretty good day for the Grizzles despite the loss.

Even if the Spartans woke up late in the second half.

About the Author

Pat Caputo has written as a beat writer and sports columnist for The Oakland Press since 1984 and blogs at http://patcaputo.blogspot.com/. Reach the author at pat.caputo@oakpress.com
or follow Pat on Twitter: @PatCaputo98.